“Sad Citizen is a substantial contribution that examines the connections between politics and feelings of depression. With the growing attention to the role of emotions in politics over the past few decades, Ojeda fills a serious void in the field by offering an in-depth consideration of sadness and its place in the political world.”

Ted Brader | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

"Politics is not just about competition, Ojeda argues, but also about loss: election losses, losses of benefits or rights, losses of our efforts and resources when political activism fails. And these losses can be depressing. Ojeda’s landmark book shows why politics leaves citizens disappointed, sad, even grieving, and why it matters—for mobilization, political participation, political inequality, and policy outputs. A stunningly provocative and original new take on the causes and consequences of citizen engagement."

Andrea Louise Campbell | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

“Much of what people do depends on how they feel. This is as true in politics as in any other domain of life. Yet, social scientists have had little to say about the relationship between psychological well-being and political decisions. Ojeda fills this gap with a stunning book that authoritatively shows the connection between political health and mental health. The Sad Citizen sets an agenda for a new and crucially important area of inquiry.”

James N. Druckman | coauthor of "Partisan Hostility and American Democracy"